Eskrima
Eskrima
Eskrima or Escrima refers to a class of martial arts that emphasize stick and sword fighting. Other terms, that have entered into common usage, include Kali and Arnis de Mano (harness of the hand); occasionally the abbreviation (FMA) is used. Eskrima and Arnis are among the many names primarily used in the Philippines today to refer to these arts. The name Kali, although primarily used in the United States and Europe, is seldom used in the Philippines and in most cases is an unknown word. But due to the popularity of the term outside of the Philippines and the influence of foreign practitioners, the term Kali is increasingly being recognized and accepted in the Philippines.
Battle of Mactan
The Battle of Mactan was fought in the Philippines on April 27, 1521. The warriors of Lapu-Lapu, a chieftain of Mactan Island, defeated Spanish sailors and soldiers under Portuguese sea captain and explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Magellan was killed by tribal warriors of Mactan, while being involved in political issues and rivalries with Lapu-Lapu.
Insight into the battle
According to the accounts of Antonio Pigafetta, , Magellan deployed 48 armored men, less than half his crew, with swords, axes, shields, crossbows and guns. Filipino historians note that because of the rocky outcroppings and corals near the beach, he could not land on Mactan. Forced to anchor his ships far from shore, Magellan could not bring his ships' firepower to bear on Lapu-Lapu's warriors, who numbered more than 1,500.
